Best of Southern India

1N Kochi , 2N Kalpetta , 2N Mysore , 2N Mahabalipuram , 1N Pondicherry , 2N Madurai , 1N Thekkady and 2N Kochi
14 days

From

US$ 959

per person

Operated by G Adventures

About the tour

Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Room Only Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theuvoram Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey. Fort Kochi orientation walk. Kathakali dance show. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary walk and safari. Chaumundi Temple and Mysore Palace visit. Mamallapuram Shore Temple visit. Pondicherry orientation walk. Madurai cycle-rickshaw ride and Sri Meenakshi Temple visit. Cardamom Hills spice plantation tour. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Room OnlyHotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Room OnlyHotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Room OnlyHotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Room OnlyHotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Room OnlyHotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with Breakfast and DinnerHotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share). with All Meals

Highlights

  • Relax in the peaceful backwaters of Kerala, spot wildlife in beautiful parks, uncover ancient temples, explore tea and spice plantations, take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Madurai

Meals

1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Accommodation

Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).

Included in the price

Kochi

  • Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theuvoram Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey
  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey. Fort Kochi orientation walk. Kathakali dance show. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary walk and safari. Chaumundi Temple and Mysore Palace visit. Mamallapuram Shore Temple visit. Pondicherry orientation walk. Madurai cycle-rickshaw ride and Sri Meenakshi Temple visit. Cardamom Hills spice plantation tour. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Day-wise Itinerary

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Day 1: Kochi

  • There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
  • After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.

Day 2: Kochi/kalpetta

Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Kalpetta, in the Wayanad district.

Day 3: Kalpetta

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghat region of Kerala, it is spread over an area of nearly 345 sq km and has a variety of exotic flora and fauna. The sanctuary was declared as a site of Project Elephant in the year 1992.

Day 4: Kalpetta/mysore

Travel to Mysore (formally Mysuru) located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947.

Day 5: Mysore

  • Imagine life as a Maharaja on a guided tour of the Mysore Palace. Later, join the throngs of pilgrims at Chamundi Hills, with its temple on top, and Nandi the Bull (ridden by the Hindu god Shiva) a short walk below.
  • In your free time, visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market or join a yoga class at one of the many local institutes.
  • Opt to drive to Somnathpur, home to one of the most famous Hoysala Temples in India.

Day 6: Mysore/māmallapuram

Arrive by train to Chennai before continuing south for a short ride to the small village of Mamallapuram. Visit the 7th century Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 7: Māmallapuram

Free time to explore Mamallapuram.

Day 8: Māmallapuram/puducherry

In the morning, drive to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry), formerly the the largest French Colony in India and an important trading town. There is a strong French influence in the city's layout, with wide boulevards and French-style houses, but the city is undoubtedly Indian.

Day 9: Puducherry/madurai

Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Day 10: Madurai

After visiting the temple complex, opt to visit the handicraft shops or duck into the cool shade of the covered, stone tailor’s market where, for a few rupees, rows of expert tailors will whip you up a custom shirt in minutes, all done on antique foot-pump sewing machines. In the late evening, opt to visit the Meenakshi Temple again for a glimpse of the nighttime rituals.

Day 11: Madurai/thekkady

  • Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the spice plantations and a tea factory.
  • Opt for a boat ride on the Periyar Lake.

Day 12: Thekkady/kerala Backwaters

  • Travel down to the backwaters from Thekkady to catch a private boat for the short journey to the village homestay.
  • In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location.
  • Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters.

Day 13: Kerala Backwaters/kochi

Spend the morning enjoying last moments with your host family. Learn to cook some local food, watch the toddy tappers at work, or wander around the village. Travel to a Planeterra project for lunch before returning to Kochi. Head out for an orientation walk, then enjoy an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.

Day 14: Kochi

Depart at any time.

Starting from

US$ 959

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